6 Things to Do in Glacier National Park Montana
Located in Montana USA, Glacier National Park is home to over 1 million acres of rugged Rocky Mountains, pristine evergreen forests, and amazing alpine meadows. There are fifty active glaciers in Glacier National Park, which means the landscape is always changing and always incredible.
Glacier National Park history dates back to 1910. Now, each year, nearly two million visitors come to to experience its full splendor and enjoy a wide range of activities to do here.
Here’s our list of some of the top things to do at Glacier National Park, MT.
1. Go Hiking in the Park
There are over 700 miles of trails for hiking in the Park that can accommodate all skill levels, from short 15-minute boardwalk loops to intense, multi-day, backcountry hiking expeditions. The best Park hikes depends on your skill level and the length of time you have to spend hiking. The Highline Trail (or Highline Loop) is a popular yet difficult 11.8-mile hike for more experienced hikers, offering amazing views. Backpacking and backcountry camping are also highly popular activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
2. Visit one of Several Park Lakes
There are over 130 named lakes in Glacier National Park. Some of the most popular Park lakes include:
Lake McDonald
At 10 miles long and over a mile wide, Lake McDonald is one of the larger and more notable lakes inside the Park. The lower portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road borders Lake McDonald, giving tourists great views of this freshwater mountain lake. Often you’ll spot Grizzly bears, black beers, deer, moose, and other wildlife near Lake McDonald. Apgar Village is located on the westernmost section of the lake and Lake McDonald Lodge (built in 1913) is about halfway along the lake’s shores, accessible by the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake is only accessible through a 3-mile hike from the Logan Pass Visitor Center at the top of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You can reach the Hidden Lake Overlook in 1.35 miles and then continue for another 1.4 miles to the northeastern shores of Hidden Lake. As one of the most popular hikes in all of Glacier Park, Hidden Lake also offers great views of Clements Mountain and Reynolds Mountain, two of the more famous mountain peaks in the Park.
Iceberg Lake
Iceberg Lake is also a popular destination and is less than a 5 mile hike starting near Swiftcurrent, Montana. This glacial lake is smaller than other lakes in the Park at less than half a mile wide (and long), but is still an incredible sight to behold as it is overshadowed by the 3,000-foot summit of Iceberg Peak.
3. Drive through Logan Pass
The Continental Divide refers to the drainage divide, where water on one side of this mountainous range will drain into one ocean, while water on the opposite side drains into a different ocean. Located along the Continental Divide, Logan Pass is the highest point in Glacier National Park and reachable by car at 6,640 ft. It is also the top point of the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road and offers travellers and opportunity to stretch their legs, breathe fresh mountain air, wander the Logan Pass Visitor Center, or even hike the popular Hidden Lake Trail and Highline Trail. Although this is the highest you can drive in the Park you can still look up and see Clements Mountain (at 8,760 feet) and Reynolds Mountain (at 9,125 feet) towering over.
4. Take a Red Bus Tour through Glacier National Park
Board a historic “Red Jammer” bus and make your way up the Going-to-the-Sun Road in an open roof vehicle while learning all about Glacier Park’s history. These recently restored vintage red jammer buses have transported guests through Glacier National Park since 1936.
5. Go Fishing
Glacier National Park fishing offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy nature at its best. Fish native to the Park include cutthroat trout, bull trout, lake trout, and brook trout. Because the primary purpose of the park is to preserve the natural habitat and ecosystems, there are several regulations and restrictions in place. Only hook and line fishing is permitted with one rod per person. Please check with the National Park Service for official fishing regulations.
6. Go Camping in Glacier Park
In total there are 13 different campgrounds and 1,009 campsites inside the Park. Some popular camping locations include Many Glacier, Sprague Creek, St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Avalanche. Many of these Glacier Park campsites are first-come-first-serve, and very popular throughout the summer months.
Glacier National Park Tours by Caravan
Caravan Tours operates a fully guided Canadian Rockies and Glacier Park tour that includes a full day in Glacier National Park, plus the opportunity to ride the Going-to-the-Sun Road on a Red Jammer tour bus up through Logan Pass, Montana.
This fully guided tour also includes visits to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
For current information on this all-inclusive Caravan vacation please check out the official travel tips or read previous travelers’ reviews of the tour through Glacier National Park.
Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) if you have any questions
or to book a Canadian Rockies and Glacier Park tour.
